The White Elephant, and Other Tales from India

Eleven luminous tales from the subcontinent, retold by the legendary "Story Lady" herself. Georgene Faulkner gathered these fables from oral traditions older than memory and gave them new life for a generation of young readers. The title story anchors the collection: a magnificent white elephant, saved by humble woodcutters, whose gratitude transforms into a teaching moment for his son about the true meaning of friendship. But when a greedy Rajah demands the elephant for his palace, the woodcutters face an impossible choice between safety and loyalty. The tales ripple outward from there, populated by clever monkeys, cunning jackals, wise old turtles, and children whose kindness bends the arc of the universe. These are not sanitized morality lessons but stories where goodness requires courage and cleverness, where the small outwit the powerful, and where every act of generosity plants seeds that bloom in unexpected ways. Frederick Richardson's illustrations lend an antique charm, making this feel like a door left open to another era. Perfect for reading aloud or curling up with alone.